Mario moved to the United States from Cuba with the dream of continuing his career in healthcare and helping others. Although he had studied medicine and hematology in Cuba, he knew that he needed to improve his English and gain new skills.
At Literacy Pittsburgh, Mario studied English for Academics for 18 months with teacher Amanda. He explains, “Her patience and dedication helped me gain confidence in reading, writing, and speaking English.”
Mario didn’t stop there. He next took Customer Service for Healthcare and Microsoft Excel. Literacy Pittsburgh also connected Mario to PA Women Work, where he took classes on job interviews, résumé preparation, and communication skills. He says, “These lessons gave me the confidence to present myself professionally and helped me enter the workforce successfully.”
Through Literacy Pittsburgh’s Career Pathways program, Mario learned about the Bidwell Training Center. He enrolled in their Institutional Pharmacy Technician Program, which became a turning point in his career journey.
Literacy Pittsburgh (formerly Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council) helps create better lives through learning. Recognized as a national leader in adult and family literacy, Literacy Pittsburgh is the largest provider of adult basic education in Allegheny and Beaver Counties. Last year, Literacy Pittsburgh helped more than 4,000 individuals acquire the skills needed to reach their fullest potential in life and participate productively in their communities. Literacy Pittsburgh provides free, personalized instruction in workforce readiness, high school diploma test preparation, digital literacy, English language learning, math, reading, and family literacy through one-to-one and small class instruction. Founded in 1982, it serves local adults through numerous neighborhood locations and its Downtown Pittsburgh Learning Center.
